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{{Short description|New Zealand air vice marshal (1891–1976)}}
{{For|the Methodist minister and politician|Leonard Isitt (minister)}}
{{For|the Methodist minister and politician|Leonard Isitt (minister)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2016}}
{{Use New Zealand English|date=December 2016}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = Air Vice Marshal
⚫
| name =Sir Leonard Monk Isitt
| image =AVM Sir Leonard Monk Isitt.jpg
| name = Sir Leonard Isitt
| caption =AVM Sir Leonard Monk Isitt
| image = AVM Sir Leonard Monk Isitt.jpg
⚫
| caption = AVM Sir Leonard Monk Isitt
| birth_name = Leonard Monk Isitt
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|07|27|df=yes}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1891|07|27|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1976|01|21|1891|07|27|df=yes}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1976|01|21|1891|07|27|df=yes}}
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial =
| birth_place =[[Christchurch]], New Zealand
| birth_place = [[Christchurch]], New Zealand
| death_place =[[Lower Hutt]], New Zealand
| death_place = [[Lower Hutt]], New Zealand
| nickname =
| nickname =
| allegiance =New Zealand
| allegiance = New Zealand
| branch =[[New Zealand Army]]<br/>[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
| branch = [[New Zealand Army]]<br/>[[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]
| serviceyears =
| serviceyears = 1915–1946
| rank =[[Air Vice Marshal]]
| rank = [[Air Vice Marshal]]
| servicenumber =
| servicenumber =
| unit =
| unit =
| commands =[[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]]
| commands = [[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]]
| battles =[[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]
| battles = [[World War I]]<br/>[[World War II]]
| battles_label =
| battles_label =
| awards =[[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
| awards = [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]]
| relations =
| relations =
| laterwork =Chairman of Tasman Empire Airways
| laterwork = Chairman of Tasman Empire Airways
| signature =Surrender of Japan pg 2k.jpg
| signature = Surrender of Japan pg 2k.jpg
}}
}}


[[Air Vice Marshal]] '''Sir Leonard Monk Isitt''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|size=100%|KBE}} (27 July 1891 – 21 January 1976) was a New Zealand military aviator and senior air force commander. In 1943 he became the first New Zealander to serve as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]], a post he held until 1946. At the close of World War II, Isitt was the New Zealand signatory to the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]]. After the war he worked as chairman of [[Tasman Empire Airways]].
[[Air Vice Marshal]] '''Sir Leonard Monk Isitt''' {{post-nominals|country=NZL|size=100%|KBE}} (27 July 1891 – 21 January 1976) was a New Zealand military aviator and senior air force commander. In 1943 he became the first New Zealander to serve as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]] of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]], a post he held until 1946. At the close of World War II, Isitt was the New Zealand signatory to the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]]. After the war, following retirement from the Air Force, he worked as chairman of [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited|Tasman Empire Airways]].


==Early and family life==
==Early life==
Leonard Monk Isitt was born on 27 July 1891 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the son of the Methodist minister, member of parliament and prohibitionist [[Leonard Isitt (minister)|Leonard Monk Isitt]] and Agnes Martha Caverhill. Leonard Monk Isitt junior was educated at [[Mostyn House]], Cheshire, England and [[Christchurch Boys' High School]]. He had one brother, Willard Whitmore Isitt (1894–1916) who was a Rifleman in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in World War I and was killed in France on 31 October 1916.
Leonard Monk Isitt was born on 27 July 1891 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the son of the Methodist minister, member of parliament and prohibitionist [[Leonard Isitt (minister)|Leonard Monk Isitt]] and Agnes Martha Caverhill. Leonard Monk Isitt junior was educated at [[Mostyn House]], Cheshire, England and [[Christchurch Boys' High School]]. He had one brother, Willard Whitmore Isitt (1894–1916), who was a Rifleman in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in World War I and was killed in France on 31 October 1916.


==World War I and air force service==
==World War I and air force service==
Following the outbreak of [[World War I]] he enlisted in April 1915 in the [[New Zealand Army]] and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade.<ref name="teara">{{DNZB |Crooks|David M. |5i5| Isitt, Leonard Monk|22 March 2022 ||David Crooks (RNZAF officer)}}</ref> After service in Egypt he then moved to the Western Front where he was wounded in the head during the New Zealand Division's participation in the [[Battle of Flers–Courcelette]]. The scalp wound resulted in him being sent to England to recover, where he was discharged from the NZEF in March 1917.{{sfn|Classen|2017|page=96}}
In [[World War I]] he served in the [[New Zealand Army]] in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade. On 10 May 1917 he was granted a probationary commission in the [[Royal Flying Corps]] as a [[second lieutenant]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30100 |date=29 May 1917 |startpage=5309 |supp=y |accessdate=21 March 2015}}</ref> which was confirmed a month later.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30195 |date=20 July 1917 |startpage=7430 |supp=y |accessdate=22 March 2015}}</ref> In 1918 he was transferred to the [[Royal Air Force]]. During his time with the British air services Isitt served as a pilot and flew bombers over French battlefields.<ref name="Officers of the NZPAF">[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/WH2AirF-fig-WH2AirFP004b.html Officers of the NZPAF]</ref>

On 10 May 1917 he was granted a probationary commission in the [[Royal Flying Corps]] as a [[second lieutenant]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30100 |date=29 May 1917 |page=5309 |supp=y }}</ref> which was confirmed a month later.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=30195 |date=20 July 1917 |page=7430 |supp=y }}</ref>
He was assigned as a pilot to a reconnaissance squadron with most of his duties involving artillery cooperation. During his period he shot down a single enemy aircraft, before being transferred back to England to serve as a flying instructor. After volunteering for frontline service he was assigned to 98 squadron in October 1917, flying the [[Airco DH.9|DH.9]] on bombing missions. Based at Abscon airfield he flew his first mission on 9 October when 10 aircraft attacked Mons railway station. During the raid they were attacked by 15 Fokkers and Pfalzes. Two other major raids followed on 14 and 23 October. The later raid, was on the Hirson railway station, which saw two aircraft of the squadron shot down.{{sfn|Classen|2017|page=409}} In addition to these bombing flights he was also undertaking aerial reconnaissance.
In 1918 he was transferred to the [[Royal Air Force]].<ref name="Officers of the NZPAF">[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/WH2AirF-fig-WH2AirFP004b.html Officers of the NZPAF]</ref>


==Inter-war years==
==Inter-war years==
At the close of World War I, New Zealand had no military air organisation of any sort. On the request of the New Zealand government, the British [[Air Ministry]] sent Colonel (later Group Captain) [[A V Bettington]] to New Zealand to advise on the establishment of an air service. Bettington brought four aircraft with him and they were based at Sockburn airfield (later to become [[RNZAF Station Wigram]]). It was to this embroyonic state of affairs that Isitt was to return. In 1919 Isitt, then a captain, was posted back to New Zealand where he was sent to Sockburn airfield to take care of the four aircraft and serve as commanding officer.<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Leo |date=1941 |title=Wingspread: The Pioneering of Aviation in New Zealand |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=bx8ZAAAAIAAJ&q |publisher=Unity Press Limited |page=178 |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally Isitt served as the liaison officer to the Canterbury Aviation Company on behalf of the government.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bentley |first=Geoffrey |date=1969 |title=RNZAF: a short history |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=sZ-4AAAAIAAJ&q |publisher=Reed |page=23 |access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref>
At the close of World War I, New Zealand had no military air organisation of any sort. On the request of the New Zealand government, the British [[Air Ministry]] sent Colonel (later Group Captain) [[A. V. Bettington]] to New Zealand to advise on the establishment of an air service. Bettington brought four aircraft with him and they were based at Sockburn airfield (later to become [[RNZAF Station Wigram]]). It was to this embryonic state of affairs that Isitt was to return. In 1919 Isitt, then a captain, was posted back to New Zealand where he was sent to Sockburn airfield to take care of the four aircraft and serve as commanding officer.<ref>{{cite book |last=White |first=Leo |date=1941 |title=Wingspread: The Pioneering of Aviation in New Zealand |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bx8ZAAAAIAAJ |publisher=Unity Press Limited |page=178 |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> Additionally Isitt served as the liaison officer to the Canterbury Aviation Company on behalf of the government.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bentley |first=Geoffrey |date=1969 |title=RNZAF: a short history |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sZ-4AAAAIAAJ |publisher=Reed |page=23 |access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref>


Between the wars one of Isitt's responsibilities was pilot flight training and he served in the Air Ministry, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) and the [[RNZAF]].<ref name="Officers of the NZPAF"/> In 1937, the RNZAF was made independent of the New Zealand Army and at that time Isitt was promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] and appointed as the Air Member for Personnel. In the pre-World War II build up this was a key post and Isitt was soon promoted again to [[group captain]].<ref name="teara">{{cite web|url=http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5i5/isitt-leonard-monk|title=Isitt, Leonard Monk 1891 – 1976|last=Crooks|first=David M.|work=Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand|publisher=Ministry for Culture and Heritage|date=30 October 2012|accessdate=17 March 2015}}</ref>
Between the wars, one of Isitt's responsibilities was pilot flight training and he served in the Air Ministry, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) and the [[RNZAF]].<ref name="Officers of the NZPAF"/> In 1937, the RNZAF was made independent of the New Zealand Army and at that time Isitt was promoted to [[Wing commander (rank)|wing commander]] and appointed as the Air Member for Personnel. In the pre-World War II build up this was a key post and Isitt was soon promoted again to [[group captain]].<ref name="teara"/>


==World War II==
==World War II==
[[File:Isitt NEW ZEALAND 1945.jpg|thumb|right|Tokyo Bay, Japan – Surrender of Japanese aboard USS Missouri. Air Vice Marshal Leonard M. Isitt, representing the Dominion of New Zealand, signs the instrument of surrender.]]
[[File:Leonard Monk Isitt signing Japanese Instrument of Surrender, September 2 1945 (29235126025).jpg|thumb|right|Tokyo Bay, Japan – Surrender of Japanese aboard USS ''Missouri''. Air Vice Marshal Leonard M. Isitt, representing the Dominion of New Zealand, signs the instrument of surrender.]]


Continuing as Air Member for Personnel at the start of World War II, in March 1940 Isitt went to Canada as he had been appointed as New Zealand's representative on the board of [[Empire Air Training Scheme]], a massive aviation training programme. In May 1942 Isitt was sent to London to establish the RNZAF's Overseas Headquarters, receiving a promotion to [[air commodore]] at the same time. Having accomplished his task, under a year later Isitt was back in New Zealand and in March 1943 Isitt became the New Zealand's Deputy Chief of Air Staff working under the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore [[Victor Goddard]], a British officer on secondment. Around four months later on 19 July 1943 Isitt was appointed Chief of Air Staff of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] in the rank of [[air vice-marshal]]. He was the first New Zealander to hold his Service's senior appointment and the first to hold one of the air marshal ranks. In addition to securing a significant role for his Air Force in the South Pacific,<ref name="teara"/> Isitt represented New Zealand at conferences in London, Washington and Ottawa during [[World War II]]. He was the New Zealand signatory to the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]] marking the formal surrender of [[Japan]]ese forces, so ending [[World War II]].<ref>[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/WH2Poli-fig-WH2Pol18a.html Photo of Isitt signing Instrument]</ref>
Continuing as Air Member for Personnel at the start of World War II, in March 1940 Isitt went to Canada as he had been appointed as New Zealand's representative on the board of [[Empire Air Training Scheme]], a massive aviation training programme. In May 1942 Isitt was sent to London to establish the RNZAF's Overseas Headquarters, receiving a promotion to [[air commodore]] at the same time. Having accomplished his task, under a year later Isitt was back in New Zealand and in March 1943 Isitt became the New Zealand's Deputy Chief of Air Staff working under the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore [[Victor Goddard]], a British officer on secondment. Around four months later on 19 July 1943 Isitt was appointed Chief of Air Staff of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]] in the rank of [[air vice-marshal]]. He was the first New Zealander to hold his Service's senior appointment and the first to hold one of the air marshal ranks. In addition to securing a significant role for his Air Force in the South Pacific,<ref name="teara"/> Isitt represented New Zealand at conferences in London, Washington and Ottawa during [[World War II]].
He was the New Zealand signatory to the [[Japanese Instrument of Surrender]] on the USS Missouri marking the formal surrender of [[Japan]]ese forces, so ending [[World War II]].<ref>[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/WH2Poli-fig-WH2Pol18a.html Photo of Isitt signing Instrument]</ref>


==Post war==
==Post war==
Isitt retired in 1946 as Chief of the Air Staff and he became chairman of Tasman Empire Airways ([[TEAL]]) in 1947.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Sir Leonard Isitt |journal=White's Aviation |date=1947 |access-date=4 April 2015 |volume=3–4 |page=48}}</ref> He continued as TEAL chairman until 1963 when he was succeeded by [[Andrew McKee (RAF officer)|Sir Andrew McKee]].<ref>http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963%20-%200342.html</ref>
Isitt retired in 1946 as Chief of the Air Staff and he became chairman of Tasman Empire Airways ([[Tasman Empire Airways Limited|TEAL]]) in 1947.<ref>{{cite journal |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Sir Leonard Isitt |journal=White's Aviation |date=1947 |volume=3–4 |page=48}}</ref> He continued as TEAL chairman until 1963 when he was succeeded by [[Andrew McKee (RAF officer)|Sir Andrew McKee]].<ref>{{Citation | title = Sir Leonard Isitt is to resign from the chairmanship of both TEAL and NAC on April 1. Sir Andrew McKee will succeed him. Mr G. N. Roberts of TEAL becomes deputy chairman of TEAL and NAC. | journal = Flight International | url = https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1963/1963%20-%200342.html | pages = 326 | date =7 March 1963 }}</ref>

Following his retirement as chairman of NAC and TEAL he served as chairman of Standard–Triumph New Zealand, Motor Assemblies Limited and then Leyland Motors of New Zealand until his final retirement in 1966.<ref name="teara"/>

Together with [[Ronald Bannerman]] and [[Keith Caldwell]] he was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand 1914–1918 Airmen's Association in 1960.{{sfn|Classen|2017|page=425}}

He died at Lower Hutt on 21 January 1976.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5i5/isitt-leonard-monk#:~:text=Leonard%20Isitt%20was%20a%20man,full%20military%20honours%20in%20Wellington | title=Isitt, Leonard Monk }}</ref>

==Personal life==
Isitt married Elsie Gladys Caverhill (1896–1970) at Wellington on 26 April 1920.<ref name="teara"/> They had two daughters.<ref name="teara"/>


==Honours==
==Honours==
In 1935, he was awarded the [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]].<ref name="EP">{{cite news | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19350506.2.12 | title=Official jubilee medals | date=6 May 1935 | work= Evening Post | accessdate=16 August 2013 | page=4 }}</ref> He was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1940<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34893 |date=9 July 1940 |startpage=4254 |supp=y |accessdate=1 April 2015}}</ref> and a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in 1945. His medals are held at the [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]].<ref>http://canterbury100.org.nz/explore/objects/medal-group-air-vice-marshal-sir-leonard-monk-isitt</ref>
In 1935, he was awarded the [[King George V Silver Jubilee Medal]].<ref name="EP">{{cite news | url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=EP19350506.2.12 | title=Official jubilee medals | date=6 May 1935 | work= Evening Post | access-date=16 August 2013 | page=4 }}</ref> He was appointed a [[Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in the [[1940 Birthday Honours (New Zealand)|1940 King's Birthday Honours]],<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=34893 |date=9 July 1940 |page=4254 |supp=y }}</ref> and a [[Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire]] in the [[1946 New Year Honours (New Zealand)|1946 New Year Honours]]. His medals are held at the [[Air Force Museum of New Zealand]].<ref> {{cite web |title = Medal group – Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leonard Monk Isitt | publisher = Canterbury 100 | url= http://canterbury100.org.nz/explore/objects/medal-group-air-vice-marshal-sir-leonard-monk-isitt |access-date = 17 December 2017 }}</ref>


==References==
==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

==References==
*{{cite book | last= Classen | first = Adam |title= Fearless : The Extraordinary Untold Story of New Zealand's Great War Airmen | location=Auckland, New Zealand | publisher= Massey University Press. | date=2017 | isbn=9780994140784 }}


==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category|Leonard Monk Isitt}}
{{commons category|Leonard Monk Isitt}}
*[http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=5I5 Crooks, David M. ''Isitt, Leonard Monk 1891–1976''. Dictionary of New Zealand Biography, updated 16 December 2003]
*[http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/I/IsittSirLeonardMonkKbe/IsittSirLeonardMonkKbe/en Biography in 1966 Encyclopaedia of NZ]
*[http://www.teara.govt.nz/1966/I/IsittSirLeonardMonkKbe/IsittSirLeonardMonkKbe/en Biography in 1966 Encyclopaedia of NZ]
*[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/name-110049.html Ross, Squadron Leader John Macaulay Sutherland ''Royal New Zealand Air Force'' New Zealand Electronic Text Centre] accessed 14 June 2008
*[http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/name-110049.html Ross, Squadron Leader John Macaulay Sutherland ''Royal New Zealand Air Force'' New Zealand Electronic Text Centre] accessed 14 June 2008
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{{s-new|reason=Headquarters established}}
{{s-new|reason=Headquarters established}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding]] RNZAF Overseas Headquarters|years=1942}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Air Officer Commanding]] RNZAF Overseas Headquarters|years=1942}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Arthur de Terrotte Nevill]]}}
{{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Arthur de Terrotte Nevill]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Victor Goddard]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Victor Goddard]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]]|years=1943–1946}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Air Staff (New Zealand)|Chief of the Air Staff]]|years=1943–1946}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Arthur de Terrotte Nevill]]}}
|-
|-
{{s-bus}}
{{s-bus}}
{{s-bef|before=Unknown}}
{{s-bef|before=Unknown}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of [[TEAL|Tasman Empire Airways]]|years=1947–1963}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chairman of [[Tasman Empire Airways Limited|Tasman Empire Airways]]|years=1947–1963}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Andrew McKee (RAF officer)|Sir Andrew McKee]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Andrew McKee (RAF officer)|Sir Andrew McKee]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}
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[[Category:People educated at Christchurch Boys' High School]]
[[Category:People educated at Christchurch Boys' High School]]
[[Category:Air marshals of World War II]]
[[Category:Air marshals of World War II]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Christchurch]]
[[Category:Isitt–Caverhill family]]

Latest revision as of 19:09, 24 April 2024

For the Methodist minister and politician, see Leonard Isitt (minister).

Air Vice Marshal

Sir Leonard Isitt
AVM Sir Leonard Monk Isitt
Birth nameLeonard Monk Isitt
Born(1891-07-27)27 July 1891
Christchurch, New Zealand
Died21 January 1976(1976-01-21) (aged 84)
Lower Hutt, New Zealand
AllegianceNew Zealand
Service/branchNew Zealand Army
Royal New Zealand Air Force
Years of service1915–1946
RankAir Vice Marshal
Commands heldChief of the Air Staff
Battles/warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsKnight Commander of the Order of the British Empire
Other workChairman of Tasman Empire Airways
Signature

Air Vice Marshal Sir Leonard Monk Isitt KBE (27 July 1891 – 21 January 1976) was a New Zealand military aviator and senior air force commander. In 1943 he became the first New Zealander to serve as the Chief of the Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, a post he held until 1946. At the close of World War II, Isitt was the New Zealand signatory to the Japanese Instrument of Surrender. After the war, following retirement from the Air Force, he worked as chairman of Tasman Empire Airways.

Early life[edit]

Leonard Monk Isitt was born on 27 July 1891 in Christchurch, New Zealand, the son of the Methodist minister, member of parliament and prohibitionist Leonard Monk Isitt and Agnes Martha Caverhill. Leonard Monk Isitt junior was educated at Mostyn House, Cheshire, England and Christchurch Boys' High School. He had one brother, Willard Whitmore Isitt (1894–1916), who was a Rifleman in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in World War I and was killed in France on 31 October 1916.

World War I and air force service[edit]

Following the outbreak of World War I he enlisted in April 1915 in the New Zealand Army and was assigned to the New Zealand Rifle Brigade.[1] After service in Egypt he then moved to the Western Front where he was wounded in the head during the New Zealand Division's participation in the Battle of Flers–Courcelette. The scalp wound resulted in him being sent to England to recover, where he was discharged from the NZEF in March 1917.[2]

On 10 May 1917 he was granted a probationary commission in the Royal Flying Corps as a second lieutenant,[3] which was confirmed a month later.[4] He was assigned as a pilot to a reconnaissance squadron with most of his duties involving artillery cooperation. During his period he shot down a single enemy aircraft, before being transferred back to England to serve as a flying instructor. After volunteering for frontline service he was assigned to 98 squadron in October 1917, flying the DH.9 on bombing missions. Based at Abscon airfield he flew his first mission on 9 October when 10 aircraft attacked Mons railway station. During the raid they were attacked by 15 Fokkers and Pfalzes. Two other major raids followed on 14 and 23 October. The later raid, was on the Hirson railway station, which saw two aircraft of the squadron shot down.[5] In addition to these bombing flights he was also undertaking aerial reconnaissance.

In 1918 he was transferred to the Royal Air Force.[6]

Inter-war years[edit]

At the close of World War I, New Zealand had no military air organisation of any sort. On the request of the New Zealand government, the British Air Ministry sent Colonel (later Group Captain) A. V. Bettington to New Zealand to advise on the establishment of an air service. Bettington brought four aircraft with him and they were based at Sockburn airfield (later to become RNZAF Station Wigram). It was to this embryonic state of affairs that Isitt was to return. In 1919 Isitt, then a captain, was posted back to New Zealand where he was sent to Sockburn airfield to take care of the four aircraft and serve as commanding officer.[7] Additionally Isitt served as the liaison officer to the Canterbury Aviation Company on behalf of the government.[8]

Between the wars, one of Isitt's responsibilities was pilot flight training and he served in the Air Ministry, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force (NZPAF) and the RNZAF.[6] In 1937, the RNZAF was made independent of the New Zealand Army and at that time Isitt was promoted to wing commander and appointed as the Air Member for Personnel. In the pre-World War II build up this was a key post and Isitt was soon promoted again to group captain.[1]

World War II[edit]

Tokyo Bay, Japan – Surrender of Japanese aboard USS Missouri. Air Vice Marshal Leonard M. Isitt, representing the Dominion of New Zealand, signs the instrument of surrender.

Continuing as Air Member for Personnel at the start of World War II, in March 1940 Isitt went to Canada as he had been appointed as New Zealand's representative on the board of Empire Air Training Scheme, a massive aviation training programme. In May 1942 Isitt was sent to London to establish the RNZAF's Overseas Headquarters, receiving a promotion to air commodore at the same time. Having accomplished his task, under a year later Isitt was back in New Zealand and in March 1943 Isitt became the New Zealand's Deputy Chief of Air Staff working under the then Chief of the Air Staff, Air Commodore Victor Goddard, a British officer on secondment. Around four months later on 19 July 1943 Isitt was appointed Chief of Air Staff of the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the rank of air vice-marshal. He was the first New Zealander to hold his Service's senior appointment and the first to hold one of the air marshal ranks. In addition to securing a significant role for his Air Force in the South Pacific,[1] Isitt represented New Zealand at conferences in London, Washington and Ottawa during World War II.

He was the New Zealand signatory to the Japanese Instrument of Surrender on the USS Missouri marking the formal surrender of Japanese forces, so ending World War II.[9]

Post war[edit]

Isitt retired in 1946 as Chief of the Air Staff and he became chairman of Tasman Empire Airways (TEAL) in 1947.[10] He continued as TEAL chairman until 1963 when he was succeeded by Sir Andrew McKee.[11]

Following his retirement as chairman of NAC and TEAL he served as chairman of Standard–Triumph New Zealand, Motor Assemblies Limited and then Leyland Motors of New Zealand until his final retirement in 1966.[1]

Together with Ronald Bannerman and Keith Caldwell he was instrumental in establishing the New Zealand 1914–1918 Airmen's Association in 1960.[12]

He died at Lower Hutt on 21 January 1976.[13]

Personal life[edit]

Isitt married Elsie Gladys Caverhill (1896–1970) at Wellington on 26 April 1920.[1] They had two daughters.[1]

Honours[edit]

In 1935, he was awarded the King George V Silver Jubilee Medal.[14] He was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1940 King's Birthday Honours,[15] and a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 New Year Honours. His medals are held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.[16]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f Crooks, David M. "Isitt, Leonard Monk". Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  2. ^ Classen 2017, p. 96.
  3. ^ "No. 30100". The London Gazette (Supplement). 29 May 1917. p. 5309.
  4. ^ "No. 30195". The London Gazette (Supplement). 20 July 1917. p. 7430.
  5. ^ Classen 2017, p. 409.
  6. ^ a b Officers of the NZPAF
  7. ^ White, Leo (1941). Wingspread: The Pioneering of Aviation in New Zealand. Unity Press Limited. p. 178. Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  8. ^ Bentley, Geoffrey (1969). RNZAF: a short history. Reed. p. 23. Retrieved 17 March 2015.
  9. ^ Photo of Isitt signing Instrument
  10. ^ "Sir Leonard Isitt". White's Aviation. 3–4: 48. 1947.
  11. ^ "Sir Leonard Isitt is to resign from the chairmanship of both TEAL and NAC on April 1. Sir Andrew McKee will succeed him. Mr G. N. Roberts of TEAL becomes deputy chairman of TEAL and NAC.", Flight International: 326, 7 March 1963
  12. ^ Classen 2017, p. 425.
  13. ^ "Isitt, Leonard Monk".
  14. ^ "Official jubilee medals". Evening Post. 6 May 1935. p. 4. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
  15. ^ "No. 34893". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 July 1940. p. 4254.
  16. ^ "Medal group – Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leonard Monk Isitt". Canterbury 100. Retrieved 17 December 2017.

References[edit]

  • Classen, Adam (2017). Fearless : The Extraordinary Untold Story of New Zealand's Great War Airmen. Auckland, New Zealand: Massey University Press. ISBN 9780994140784.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Leonard Monk Isitt.
Military offices
New title
Air Force established
 Air Member for Personnel
1937–1940 		Succeeded by
New title
Headquarters established
 Air Officer Commanding RNZAF Overseas Headquarters
1942 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief of the Air Staff
1943–1946
Business positions
Preceded by
Unknown
 Chairman of Tasman Empire Airways
1947–1963 		Succeeded by
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